Andrzej Celiński

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Andrzej Celiński (born February 26, 1950 in Warsaw) is Polish socialist politician, a prominent leader of the Democratic opposition to the communist regime, and after 1989, member of Sejm and Senate and Minister of Culture.

He is now member of Social-Democracy of Poland, and previously Democratic Left Alliance and Freedom Union. As Sejm Member he is currently a member of Left and Democrats caucus.

He is a graduate of University of Warsaw (social sciences). After this he became prominent member of independent scouting movement, Workers' Defence Committee and later Solidarity. He was one of the leaders of independence movement.

Elected Senator from Solidarity he served from 1989 to 1993 (two terms). He later became Sejm member (1993-2005).

Originally a member of the Democratic Union and Freedom Union, where he was a member of left-wing, be joined Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) in 1999, disappointed with right-leaning policy of his party.

Celiński was an unusual figure in the SLD - party dominated by former communist, while he has strong solidarity origins. He, however, regarded SLD at that time as the only left-wing political power and quickly rose in his new party.

He was one of the party vice chairmen. After SLD electoral victory he was named Minister of Culture in Leszek Miller's cabinet. He served in the government from October 19, 2001 until July 6, 2002.

He left SLD with a group of fellow MP's, led by Sejm Marshal Marek Borowski and created new party - SdPl. He lost re-election to Sejm in 2005 and SdPl lost all seat as well. However, after SLD, SdPl, Labor Union and Democratic Party created coalition Lewica i Demokraci, he returned to the Sejm.

Celiński is a nephew of Jan Józef Lipski, socialist and opposition leader.

This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding Polish Wikipedia article as of 2007-11-24.